Hotel Desire

Excerpt

Nikki watched Brandon go, fighting to hide her disappointment.

She’d enjoyed talking to Brandon.

She’d enjoyed his presence in a way she hadn’t expected to.

Besides the fact that he was drop-dead gorgeous, the chemistry between them kept her off-kilter.

She turned to Ethan, curious to see that he also watched Brandon’s exit. “Is something wrong?”

Turning his attention back to her, Ethan smiled and reached for her hand. “No.” He kissed her fingers and gestured toward the approaching waiter. “Gabriel is bringing the dessert cart. I can’t wait to find another of your weaknesses.”

Nikki blinked, her stomach fluttering at his playful smile. “Another one? What kind of weakness do you think you’ve found?”

Ethan smiled again, his eyes twinkling. “Choose your dessert.”

She eyed the cart, her mouth watering. “It all looks so good.”

The chocolate cake and mousse drew her attention, but she determinedly looked away. Crème brulee. Cheesecake. Cannoli. Strawberry shortcake. Carrot cake. They all drew her attention, but she settled on a slice of layered coconut cake, something she hadn’t had in a long time.

Ethan smiled. “Good. It’s from the local bakery. It’s occasionally served at the diner.”

“Good to know.” Aware of his interest, Nikki took a bite of her coconut cake, moaning at the burst of flavor as the cake nearly melted in her mouth. “Good Lord. This is incredible. Aren’t you having dessert?”

Ethan’s lips twitched. “I prefer my sweets in another form.”

A warm rush flowed through her at the meaningful look in his eyes as his gaze raked over her. “You’re a flirt, but I think it’s only fair to tell you that I have no interest in becoming involved with anyone.”

His eyes narrowed slightly and glimmered with something darkly erotic. “And I think it’s only fair to tell you that I plan to change your mind.”

Nikki’s breath caught. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I do.” Ethan reached out to run his fingertip over the back of her hand. “We’re adults, Nicole. You’re not going to try to deny the chemistry between us, are you?”

With a shrug, Nikki scooped another bite of her cake. “Just because you make my stomach flutter doesn’t mean I should sleep with you.”

Grinning, he leaned closer. “I make your stomach flutter, huh? How about the rest?”

Enjoying their flirting, Nikki held the bite of cake to her mouth. “The rest of what? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Ethan’s eyes flared, the challenge in them unmistakable. “Let’s start with the fact that your breath hitched when I first touched you. Your nipples beaded when I spoke to you after Hope and Charity left.”

Surprised that he’d noticed, Nikki hid a smile as she ate another bite of cake. “The first was surprise, and the second was air-conditioning.”

His eyes narrowed on hers. “Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?”

“The fact that you’re daring me to show you.” He took her hand in his and leaned closer. “When I kissed you, you melted against me. You want me as much as I want you. I think that’s something worth exploring.”

Setting her fork aside, Nikki leaned toward him until they were close enough for her to see the flecks of gold in his green eyes. “I’m not in the habit of sleeping with men I barely know. We only met this afternoon.”

Ethan shrugged. “I just thought it fair to state my intentions.”

Nikki ran a tine of her fork along a strand of coconut, the butterflies in her stomach making her hesitant to try to eat more. “I guess we could see each other.”

He smiled again, a smile that held both promise and playfulness. “I’m going to hold you to that. There’s dancing in the lounge. Would you like to go?”

Sitting back, Nikki grinned. “I might as well go now. Once the diner reopens and I’m on my feet all day again, I won’t be doing a lot of dancing.”

“Then we should take advantage of it now.”

She walked through the lobby with him to a closed door with a man standing outside, who came to attention when he saw Ethan and rushed to open the door for him.

With an arm around her, Ethan guided her inside and to the dance floor. “I’ve been looking forward to holding you again all through dinner.”

Surprised to see Charity on the dance floor, held in the loving arms of her husband, Beau, Nikki scanned the lounge.

Intimate horseshoe-shaped booths took up three walls, while the band and bar took up the other.

The booths had high backs, effectively creating a barrier between them, creating an intimacy, heightened by the low lighting.

The large dance floor, bordered by built-in low lights, held several couples of all ages, who danced to the slow music the band played.

Ethan guided her to a deserted corner of the dance floor and took her into his arms, a warm hand at her back guiding her steps while holding her other hand enfolded in his. “I want you.”